North-facing room
#D8CCB4The cream wall has an LRV of 78, so it reflects a lot of light even in north light. Its warm yellow undertone keeps it from looking grey, though it may read a little cooler than it does in other light.
19th-century painting · art-to-room palette
New England Scenery Color Palette & Paint Colors
This palette comes from Thomas Cole's 1839 oil painting "New England Scenery," held at The Art Institute of Chicago. It moves from pale warm clay and cream through ochre and bronze to deep brown, so it suits rooms that want warmth, depth and a settled, earthy feel.
Quick answer
Use the pale cream #F9E2B6 on the walls and the pale warm clay #DFC4AE for soft furnishings like sofas and curtains. Bring in the dark honey brown #5E4B20 through wood pieces, the mid-tone camel gold #B69250 for larger furniture, and the bronze ochre #81662B as an accent. Keep the deep umber #352C1B for small touches only.
- Artist
- Thomas Cole
- Date
- 1839
- Movement
- 19th-century painting
- Collection
- The Art Institute of Chicago
- Image license
- Public domain (CC0)
- Wall color LRV
- 78
The 6 colors in this painting
Measured from the image and ordered by how much of the canvas they cover. LRV is how much light a color reflects, from 0 for black to 100 for white.
Pale Warm Clay
Deep Umber Brown
Dark Honey Brown
Soft Ivory Cream
Mid Bronze Ochre
Muted Camel Gold
Where each color lives in the painting
Left, every pixel of the canvas snapped to its nearest palette color. Right, the detail where each color is strongest.
Closest paint colors
The nearest color from each brand. “Near-identical” and “Very close” are hard to tell apart on a wall; with “Similar”, compare a sample with the painting. Brands with nothing close are left out.
| Painting color | Closest paints | LRV | Use it for |
|---|---|---|---|
Pale Warm Clay#DFC4AE |
|
58 | One small textile |
Deep Umber Brown#352C1B |
|
3 | Small accents, art, accessories |
Dark Honey Brown#5E4B20 |
|
8 | Wood and frames |
Soft Ivory Cream#F9E2B6 |
|
78 | Main walls |
Mid Bronze Ochre#81662B |
|
14 | One bold piece |
Muted Camel Gold#B69250 |
|
31 | Bed, sofa, curtains |
Paint names belong to their brands. Matches are measured from screen colors and are approximate; Light & Pigment is not affiliated with any paint brand.
How soft ivory cream looks in your light
The wall color shifted for the light it will live in. Check the version closest to your room before buying a sample.
South-facing room
#FAE3B8Strong south light will make the cream wall look bright and fairly creamy. Check it in the afternoon, since direct sun can make it look more yellow than expected.
Evening, warm lamps (2700K)
#CFB386Under warm evening bulbs the cream wall will look softer and more golden. The clay and brown tones will also deepen, so the room will feel cosier.
Try the palette in a room
Pick which painting color goes on the walls, the big furniture and the bold piece. Floors, shadows and light follow your choices.
Wood takes Dark Honey Brown and the rug border takes Pale Warm Clay in every combination.
Mood board
Details from the painting next to the colors and materials that carry them into a room.
Soft Ivory Cream
Muted Camel Gold
Mid Bronze Ochre
Save this palette
A card with the painting, all 6 colors and a room scheme. Pin it, or take it to the paint store.
Guides that use colors from this painting
More palettes like this
FAQ
Which color should I paint my walls with this palette?
The cream #F9E2B6 is the wall color in this scheme. It has an LRV of 78, so it keeps a room light and reflects daylight well.
Can I use the darkest brown in a small room?
Use it sparingly, such as on a door, a picture frame or a single piece of furniture. Its LRV of 3 is very dark, so large areas of it can make a small room feel closed in.
What should I pair the pale clay with?
Pair the pale warm clay #DFC4AE with the cream walls and the dark honey brown wood. The clay has a warm red-orange undertone, so it works well next to the warm yellow tones in the rest of the palette.
Image: The Art Institute of Chicago, Public domain (CC0). Palette, posterized image, details and room views generated by Light & Pigment from that image. Colors look different on screen than on a wall, so always test a sample.